The Hardwoods are Complete!

Hey friends!

Well, the hardwood installation is finally complete, and I can’t wait to share them with you.  It’s funny, this past weekend marked two years that we’ve been living in this house, and boy, has it come a long way!

I have envisioned hardwoods in the family room for a long time, and it’s really exciting to see that vision become a reality.  We went with a prefinished solid maple hardwood manufactured by Bella Cera, with some handscraped and weathered details.  The actual description is “Handscraped Maple Tribeca” and the color is “Chateau”.  I like that they’re not so handscraped that they look wavy, but enough to where it adds some rustic charm and character.

So, let’s get started!

Please excuse the creepy shadow that’s showing up on my fireplace-makeover-in-progress.  It was late in the day, and I was losing daylight quickly.  I promise my house isn’t possessed.

And I know the place looks a little bit bare right now.  Especially with the fireplace under construction.  But another item on the to-do list is to get a rug to add some pattern and softness to the space.  That’s another post altogether.

Pay no mind to the vast amount of lumber and supplies in the background of some of these photos – this place is still a construction zone.

We carried the wood floors back through the hallway leading to the kids’ bedrooms too.
I think a runner might be in order back here as well.  To keep my kids from break dancing on the floors, if nothing else.
And then there’s the big finale – the stairs!!  Oh, how I love them!  The dog was a bit weary of them – I think today is the first day that he tackled them.

Let’s do some refreshers with some before and after photos.  Here’s how the stairs looked before…
And now…
Before:
After:

Before:
After – Again, bear with me on the fireplace – I so wish it was done too!
Before:

 After!

So, get ready for some discussions about rugs!  I’ll be looking for your opinions and feedback!

39 Comments

  • Reply
    Pine Tree Home
    November 14, 2012 at 1:27 pm

    The color your choose looks great in the space. You'll love the cleanability of the hardwood floor. And yes, they have changed my life. I want them in my bedrooms now.

  • Reply
    Calypso In The Country
    November 14, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    I really need to show my husband these pictures! We have the same carpeting and he can't picture how great the wood could look. Wow! You must be thrilled! Everything looks beautiful!
    -Shelley

  • Reply
    Kelly S
    November 14, 2012 at 1:32 pm

    Its beautiful Jenny!!! Cant wait to see it in person 🙂

  • Reply
    marty (A Stroll Thru Life)
    November 14, 2012 at 2:24 pm

    Gorgeous. I so want some hardwood in the LR and FR. Maybe someday. Your home is beautiful. Hugs, marty

  • Reply
    Kim @ Savvy Southern Style
    November 14, 2012 at 2:50 pm

    Wow, those look stunning. I wish I could get our stairs done. Maybe some day.

  • Reply
    Carmel @ Our Fifth House
    November 14, 2012 at 3:22 pm

    They look amazing girl! They add a warmth and richness – and can I just say every time I see that gorgeous ceiling my jaw drops open! That room is so so beautiful!

  • Reply
    Brandy~GreyLaneHome
    November 14, 2012 at 3:57 pm

    Floor envy. They are stunning. The color is perfect.

  • Reply
    Amy Marshall
    November 14, 2012 at 9:03 pm

    Wow! What a difference the wood floors make…I am especially loving the stairway! Beautiful!

  • Reply
    Anne Boykin
    November 15, 2012 at 12:24 am

    Hi Jenny, Beautiful! Our house came with hardwood floors, including the stairs, and I love them too. They make a huge difference in the look of a home.

  • Reply
    Lisa @ Shine Your Light
    November 15, 2012 at 2:37 am

    Wow – the before and afters are crazy!! What a difference the flooring makes to a space – I don't think I ever realized that until I saw your photos. They look AMAZING Jenny! I am so excited for you! The stairs look fabulous and I love the stain color as a contrast to your walls and trim. And the fireplace makeover – OMG!!

  • Reply
    Andrea
    November 15, 2012 at 12:44 pm

    They are absolutely BEAUTIFUL! They add such warmth to your already fabulous home. I bet you are over the moon about them. Make sure you post a video of your kids breakdancing on the new floors.

  • Reply
    JenV
    November 15, 2012 at 2:11 pm

    They look beautiful!! love them on the stairs also!

  • Reply
    Anonymous
    November 16, 2012 at 2:39 am

    The floors are beautiful! We moved into our new house two months ago. When we were building it I wanted hardwood on the entire first floor and steps. I do love them but they do need dusting a lot! Also, our dog has already scratched the bottom step. I got three of my four rugs from Rugs USA. Andrea

  • Reply
    Anonymous
    November 16, 2012 at 2:52 am

    Just came across your blog in Pinterest search. Your home is beautiful. I think we might be buying the same couch (Arhaus Emory?). If so, do you mind sharing what fabric you chose? Love it!

  • Reply
    Andrea @ Decorating Cents
    November 16, 2012 at 2:56 am

    What a huge difference. The floors look great. I would love to have our stairs done.

  • Reply
    Debbie @ MeandMyDIY
    November 16, 2012 at 2:32 pm

    Hi Jenny, this is my first visit to your blog and can I just say WOW! Your home was already beautiful, but the hardwood puts it over the top. It's just lovely. You must be so happy with it. I'm your newest follower via GFC. Have a great day!

    Debbie

  • Reply
    jerri
    November 16, 2012 at 4:35 pm

    Beautiful floors! Rug advice – Overstock.com

    Large selection; good prices, quick delivery (2 days!) and you can't beat $2.95 shipping – no matter the size, etc. I was hesitant to order the 10 x 14 that I needed for my family room without seeing the rug in person. I relied on the reviews – especially for color. I first ordered a small size of the one I wanted for the family room as a test for color, thickness, etc. Since it was exactly what I hoped it would be, I then ordered the 10 x 14.

  • Reply
    Zanna
    November 19, 2012 at 12:45 am

    Absolutely cool blog! I really like your posts. They are very interesing. Come by and let's follow each other on GFC ! I would love to have your support on my blog! It would mean so much to me!

    http://aprender-a-sonhar.blogspot.pt/

  • Reply
    Natalie Jane
    November 19, 2012 at 3:11 am

    Do you know what your wall color is? I am heading tomorrow to buy paint for our kitchen and this is just what I'm looking for. Looks great!

  • Reply
    Bethany@http://thislittleestate.blogspot.ca/
    November 20, 2012 at 4:48 am

    Looks amazing!!!!!!! You must be in LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Reply
    Fleur Stevens
    November 25, 2012 at 7:26 am

    Beautiful!! Love your floor in the newest condition! The combination with the colors on you wall make it complete! Great!!!

    http://fleur-stevens.blogspot.nl/?m=1

    Have a nice sunday.

  • Reply
    Carol
    November 26, 2012 at 3:22 pm

    Stunning is all I can say! Enjoy!

  • Reply
    Linda @ it all started with paint
    November 26, 2012 at 3:44 pm

    They turned out just so beautiful! Love the color and the wide planks. And your stairs are to die for!

    🙂

    Linda

  • Reply
    The Other Me Is Sane
    November 28, 2012 at 3:20 am

    We just finished with oak floors last week and haven't brought most of our furniture back in. We love the hardwood so much, we hate to cover it up.

    I'll be looking forward to reading about rugs as we're on the look for new ones now too.

  • Reply
    Bonnie@Creative Decorating
    November 29, 2012 at 3:12 pm

    Stopping by from WOW us Wednesday to see your beautiful floors! They turned out amazing. Oh the possibilities with rugs, now! I really like the style of your fan in the family room. We are needing to replace ours soon and I have been looking.

    Can't wait to see what comes next!

  • Reply
    Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
    December 3, 2012 at 8:37 pm

    Creepy creepy image BUT the floors are AMAZING!!! WOW, what a difference, I just love everything!
    XO
    Kristin

  • Reply
    Natalie @ Blossoming Visions
    December 4, 2012 at 8:11 am

    Nice color choice with the wood. It's gorgeous! I can't wait to see the rugs you pick out.

  • Reply
    Matilda Lemons
    April 10, 2013 at 2:25 pm

    Really love the natural classy look of hardwood! That, and it provides contrast to the colors of the walls and various furniture in the house. My sympathies to your dog; he’s going to do a lot of sliding for now. 🙂

    Matilda Lemons

  • Reply
    The Creativity Exchange
    April 16, 2013 at 3:29 pm

    Oh my gosh Jenny, what an amazing home! Wow, so beautiful and your color choices are absolutely perfect! Your blog is fabulous!!

  • Reply
    Beth Hunter
    May 23, 2013 at 11:29 pm

    Gorgeous!! They make such a huge difference to the look and feel of your space.

  • Reply
    Kip
    May 28, 2013 at 6:05 pm

    Glad you did away with the whole carpeting thing. A rug will do just fine in remedying that bareness. And it would provide a good accent to the dark hardwood floor. I agree with Matilda, the floor does go well with the light colors of the walls and furniture.

    Tittle Brothers

  • Reply
    Recreate and Decorate
    June 9, 2013 at 11:37 am

    These floors are gorgeous! I can't wait until we get ours in!!!

  • Reply
    Chad
    January 12, 2014 at 3:45 pm

    Gorgeous floors and house! We have the exact same flooring in our bedroom and soon will be putting it on our 2nd floor landing/stairs. Were you able to get single size planks for the stairs? Our flooring installer said Bella Cera doesn't offer a single size plank for the stairs but in your pictures it appears they are one single plank for each stair?

    • Reply
      Jenny
      January 12, 2014 at 4:30 pm

      Chad, we were able to get single planks for the stairs, with the exception of the landing area. For that space, we just used the hardwood, which still ended up looking great. I really wanted the single planks for the stairs, and I think it would have been a deal breaker, if we couldn't get them!

    • Reply
      Chad
      January 12, 2014 at 4:50 pm

      Jenny, thanks for the quick reply. That is very interesting – we have been concerned that the lack of single planks would look off and I hadn't ever seen stairs done otherwise. Now after seeing your stairs it makes me want to push even more to get them. Did you have any difficulty in obtaining single planks?

    • Reply
      Jenny
      January 12, 2014 at 5:52 pm

      No issue whatsoever in getting the stair planks. I had hoped for a solid piece for the landing also, but that was the only thing where we had to compromise. If memory serves, if it had been a smaller landing, they might have been able to do it in a solid piece. Our stairs are wider than the average, so if we can get solid planks, I would think standard size wouldn't be an issue. Worst case, could you purchase solid planks and see if there was a way to get them stained to match the floors?

    • Reply
      Chad
      January 13, 2014 at 2:53 am

      That's encouraging that it wasn't an issue finding the planks. Yes we will probably try and get solid planks stained if we are unable to get the finished planks. I would think that is still going to look better than individual planks. Thanks again for the help – definitely glad I asked because we almost went ahead and placed the order thinking we had no other option.

  • Reply
    Whitney Hurtt
    July 19, 2015 at 8:22 pm

    Jenny, My husband and I are building a house and we are thinking of going with the same floor you chose! I was wondering, how have the floors held up? Are they hard to keep clean? Are you still loving them? Your house and floors are beautiful!

    • Reply
      Jenny
      July 19, 2015 at 11:07 pm

      I do still love them Whitney! They clean up beautifully, and I have been really happy with them. We do have a huge dog (120 pounds), so there are some scratches from his nails, but nothing too crazy. Plus, they have a bit of a distressed look anyway, which makes it less noticeable.

    Leave a Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.